Curated Selection of Indian Modern & Contemporary Masters
AstaGuru’s upcoming ‘Manifest’ auction will present a thoughtfully curated selection of significant works by leading figures of Indian Art. The curation brings together seminal creations by esteemed artists such as S H Raza, M F Husain, F N Souza, K H Ara, Akbar Padamsee, Manjit Bawa and Sakti Burman, each piece reflecting a chapter in the nation’s visual legacy. Taking place on August 29–30, 2025, the online auction offers collectors an opportunity to acquire works to add to their legacy that are as culturally resonant as they stand as enduring testimonials.
| Event | Details |
|---|---|
| Manifest | AstaGuru’s Upcoming Auction |
| Dates | August 29–30, 2025 |
| Format | Online Auction at www.astaguru.com |
| Highlight Artists | S H Raza, M F Husain, F N Souza, K H Ara, Akbar Padamsee, Manjit Bawa, Sakti Burman, Anjolie Ela Menon, Krishen Khanna, J. Swaminathan |
| Significance | Celebrates a century of Indian modern and contemporary art, uniting seminal works that reflect cultural and historic narratives. |
Dialogue Across Time: A Collector’s Perspective
Speaking about the upcoming auction, Sunny Chandiramani – Director – Client Relations, AstaGuru said: ‘“Manifest’ is conceived as a dialogue across time. From the bold experimentation of India’s modernists to the innovation of contemporary practitioners, the collection reflects the arc of a century in Indian art. Each lot is not just a work of beauty, but a marker of history, inviting collectors to be custodians of narratives that continue to shape generations.”
Akbar Padamsee: A Poignant Cover Work
On the cover is a powerful painting by Akbar Padamsee, titled ‘Untitled (Nude)’ (Lot No. 24, Est. ₹3–4 crore) depicting a solitary figure in profile which emanates a sense of vulnerability and profound loneliness. The work is a striking juxtaposition of the nude figure against the bold background, that displays tonal and textural interplay, setting tone of the image.
F N Souza: Expressionist Architectural Vision
A major highlight is Lot No. 39– a landscape made in 1954 by F N Souza, is a stark and brooding depiction of an architectural structure executed in his distinctive bold, reduced to angular geometric planes that convey both solidity and tension. Estimated at ₹ 4–6 crore, the artwork reflects Souza’s interest in expressionist distortion and psychological intensity in architectural subjects.
Sakti Burman: Myth and Dreamlike Vision
Lot No. 10, titled ‘Durga’, is an exceptional work by Sakti Burman. The work is a hallmark of Burman’s technique as he attempts to bring his signature dreamlike vision to the mythological theme of Goddess Durga. His unique synthesis of Indian mythology with a European modernist sensibility creates a timeless tableau, where the divine and the human coalesce within a poetic, fantastical realm. The lot will be offered at an estimate of 1.5–2.5 crore.
M F Husain: Abstract Experimentations
Another landmark entry is an ‘Untitled’ artwork by M F Husain (Lot No. 27, Est. ₹3–4 crore), an abstract work reflecting his dynamic engagement with form and colour, moving away from figuration into a more experimental visual language.
Manjit Bawa: Rare 1989 Large-Scale Work
Lot No. 21 is a rare, large-scale work by Manjit Bawa, executed in 1989. The work reveals an early phase of his artistic practice, where figuration carried a raw, visceral energy. The imagery recalls mythic struggle and primal instincts, rendered with Bawa’s characteristic stylisation and economy of line. The work is estimated to sell at 2.5–3 crore.
Anjolie Ela Menon: The Window Motif
Also featured is a compelling work by Anjolie Ela Menon (Lot No. 04, Est ₹1–1.5 crore). The motif of the window, often appearing as both an ‘objet trouvé’ and a symbolic element, has remained central to her artistic practice.
Krishen Khanna: Bandwallas Series
Another impactful work in the auction is a diptych by Krishen Khanna from his renowned Bandwallas series. Also titled ‘Bandwallas’, the striking work (Lot No. 23, Est ₹2–3 crore) exemplifies the artist’s poignant engagement with the motif of wedding musicians.The faceless, uniformed musicians appear as anonymous figures, symbolic of resilience amid hardship. The interplay of festive colour with quiet melancholy underscores Khanna’s empathetic perspective.
J. Swaminathan: Transcendental Abstraction
In a powerful reflection of transcendental abstraction, J. Swaminathan’s ‘Untitled’, estimated at ₹1.5–2.5 crore, unites abstraction with elemental symbolism. With triangular forms set against textured planes of ochre, grey and muted red, the work (Lot No. 30) reflects a primal energy rooted in tribal and folk vocabularies.
Auction Details & Participation
The Manifest Auction will be conducted online at www.astaguru.com. Bidders are invited to preview the full catalogue and register for participation.
